Machesney Airport

A Tale of Seven Cities 1986

Marie

Source:  Rockford Magazine    June 1986   Vol.1 No.1

Harlem Township Plat Map – 1930’s

Jan

Source: Plat Map of Winnebago County, Illinois

Exact year not known, various landmarks in book, such as Willwood Cemetery and Seward Bluff Forest Preserve indicate the maps were post-1929 and pre-1941.  Guilford Township merged into Rockford Township.

**Rockford Municipal Airport was operated by Fred Machesney, who also was a sales representative for airplane sales.  It was used for pilot training including to WWII Camp Grant pilots. Greater Rockford Airport, now Chicago Rockford International Airport, was created after World War II when Camp Grant land was deed to Rockford for an airport.    Many people referred to the earlier Rockford Municipal Airport as Machesney Airport, to distinguish from Rockford Airport.

 

“Two Girls in Flying Class” – 1941

Jan

Source: Rockford Morning Star, Sunday, March 30, 1941    (donated by Jef Benedetti)

“Rockford Flier Circles North End in Liberator” – 1943

Jan

crumb

Source: Rockford Register-Republic 6/25/1943

Donated by Jef Benedetti

Solange D’Hooghe – 1943

Jan

Solange D'Hooghe

Source:  Rockford Register-Republic Sept. 14, 1943

Ladies Wednesday Afternoon League – Nov 1948

Jan

Ladies Wednesday Afternoon League

Source: The Rockford Sports News and Entertainment Guide 11-30-1948